Matt,
Does the name Norman Hsu and his connection to Hillary Clinton sound familiar? Or how about John Kerry? It should, although the DBM will avoid this story like the plague, with Hitlery accusing the "vast right-wing conspiracy" of setting her up.

a married republican senator solicits sex in a bathroom and gets caught by a cop and you are trying to convince me that Republicans have higher ethical standards. Matt - you have no shame. You are an unabashed partisan hack whose only purpose in life is to scream at the moon about how bad democrats are no matter how much evidence accumulates that Republicans are just as bad. When the Republicans get routed again in 2008 I will be laughing at you even more

LT, Senator Craig may well be a pervert, but that's not the same thing as being unethical. Now if he commits perjury about what happened (like the husband of another senator), then he might be corrupt.

Matt, shameless self-promotion for your book, I see :-)

So, it's impossible to deny that Republicans have higher ethical standards than Democrats ….
Posted by Matt at August 29, 2007 01:24 PM
If this is the case then why are so many in the Republican leadership positions getting caught in such seedy activity? These are just the ones getting caught. Larry Flynt is still lurking in the background waiting for 2008.

Maybe if the Republican leadership would quit putting out ridiculous statements such as; if you don’t support the war than you don’t support the troops, if you vote for a democrat you are voting for another 911, questioning a Presidents war policies is un-American, as your President God talks to me, then maybe the average American would not laugh at Republican hypocrisy every time a Republican leader shows himself or herself to be human.

Bigfoot: Senator Craig may well be a pervert, but that's not the same thing as being unethical.

Huh? There's such a thing as an ethical pervert? That sounds like an oxymoron to me. Moreover, Sen. Craig admitted that he tried to engineer a coverup "to make this thing go away quietly" rather than fight the charge. I'd say his ethics are at best a little convoluted.

Rico :"There's such a thing as an ethical pervert?"

Amazingly, there is such a person that exists today, in the shadows of perversion and past reprehensible conduct that has held the highest office in the land....guess who Rico?

If Sen. Craig resigns his position, which he should, let this be the standard for future politicians.

We need to start somewhere, and now is as good a time as any.

Now, if this is our basis for change, ie., criminal convictions, should any politician that accepts illegal campaign contributions also be included in this debate??

Bigfoot:

Now if he commits perjury about what happened (like the husband of another senator), then he might be corrupt.

Well, actually, he did commit perjury. He has pleaded guilty to something he now says he didn't commit: that's perjury.

It doesn't matter what the democrats do or do not do; I am sick of the gotcha game.

Senator Craig is a disgrace to this country, what other countries must think of us!

This is not a partisan topic, he is a US Senator, regardless of party, HE MUST RESIGN!

I am Republican because of the values that the PARTY holds dear. Anyone who behaves in such an unseemly manner is not a Republican or a Democrat but a loser regardless of party affiliation.

This is not the time to go back and quote democratic sins. We are Americans and the behavior by Craig is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE as an American!

Note - This is why we must have Congress enact term limits on the House and Senate. After decades of being in Congress, some take advantage and abuse their privilege.

A newly elected congressperson would be more interested in serving their constituents then someone who thinks their elected position is life time appointment!

Why didn't this great ethics probe start when he was actually arrested and plead guilty? Why wait until it was in the media? That's right... They just want to keep appearances...

Matt-

Have the ultimately ethical Republicans in the Senate asked for an ethics review of cranky, Ted Stevens, who had his home raided by the FBI? No. Where is the outrage from you.

So "liberals" corruption is OK in the Democratic party because a Republican is gay? Wow, that logic is so compelling. Really - just stunning.

I guess that’s the point of Marks post isn't it? That the Democratic Party is corrupt and that’s OK with you? Turns out your own posts point out its true. You spout crap about "Haliburton" that is so unfounded, but ignore actual provable corruption in your own party? Excuse us if we think you're full of crap.

Since the Republicans are the party of high ethical standards, would someone please explain to me why the Republicans didn't strip Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) of his committee assignments and call for his resignation? He admits to multiple encounters with prostitutes, an illegal act in the DC area the last time I checked.

I can think of two possible reasons:

1) Vitter's actions didn't involve homosexuality, or

2) Vitter has a 60% approval rating in Louisiana and isn't likely to lose his next election over his actions.

Which is correct?

navydad: Amazingly, there is such a person that exists today, in the shadows of perversion and past reprehensible conduct that has held the highest office in the land....guess who Rico?

Even many Clinton supporters would concede that he is not a paragon of ethics. In that respect, he's not at all a good example of an "ethical pervert".

We need to start somewhere, and now is as good a time as any.

Just curios: why do you think David Vitter should get a pass and Larry Craig shouldn't? If, in fact, that's how you feel.

Now, if this is our basis for change, ie., criminal convictions, should any politician that accepts illegal campaign contributions also be included in this debate??

I would certainly hope so -- especially to the extent it can be established beyond a reasonable doubt that they accepted contributions knowing they were illegal.

That's the hard part, ya know? Many people on both sides tend to assume that anyone in the public eye should know in intricate detail everything any underling, or even any supporter, does. And that strikes me as ludicrous. However, if a pattern emerges, then it seems to me that you have to start wondering. For example, in Hillary's case she now has two groups of supporters implicated in wrong-doing. That's on top of the "China cabal" back in her husband's days. I see a pattern. For another example, three of Tom DeLay's top aides have been indicted on various charges. Two have pled guilty and the third (Ed Buckham) is awaiting trial. DeLay's wife is also under investigation. I see a pattern there too.

But in other cases I don't. Sometimes minions do wrong, and it doesn't (or at least shouldn't) reflect on the candidates themselves. For example, many other candidates have found themselves recently associated with unsavory characters. But that doesn't really reflect on them. Poop happens sometimes.

Completely OT but... I just pulled my freakin' fingernail off. It hurts.

Ooouch...Rico!!

With all due respect Semby.

"Senator Craig is a disgrace to this country, what other countries must think of us!"

Absolutely Craig is a disgrace, but Semby, one of the problems with the USA is that for way too long, we've cared much too much what other contries have thought of us. Our weakness has been front and center with the terrorist groups around the world, and what we really need at this point of the game is supportive allies that will result in a show of strength...in numbers.

I've been to many countries around this world, and even with scandals such as this, most people would give an arm to live here.

You have the balls to mention ethics when Bush campaigned on moral values and you have 3 GOP sex scandals (Vitter, Foley, Craig), Abrahmoff, Libby, attorney firings, incompetence in Iraq and Katrina... can any rational person stomach this hypocrisy any longer?

The point is there are plenty of corrupt Republicans , plenty of scandals, and plenty of unethical behavior of Republicans. However, by definition Matt believes that it can't be true so therefore there is always an excuse, always a reason why it is some complicated conspiracy, always a reason why its really all democrats. Its just sad

kblack, there's plenty of corrupt Donkaroaches, and plenty of corrupt Independents, too. Wouldn't you agree?

navydad: Ooouch...Rico!!

The good news is I didn't divulge any state secrets. The bad news is that I did divulge that I knew quite a few four letter words. But that wasn't exactly a secret -- state or otherwise.

"So, it's impossible to deny that Republicans have higher ethical standards than Democrats...."

Matt, you're completely full of s**t, you partisan hack.

Navydad - the problem with the USA is that we have a Congress that is impotent!

Okay so I think we all agree that Craig is a loon or a pervert and a general screw up. We all agree that there are SEVERAL politicians on both sides who are also screw ups, dirty, and just plain crooked. The question really isn't "who catches more" of them or "who prosecutes more" of them.

The real question is: What the heck do we do about it? Those who are dirty are in control of policing themselves half the time and we know how well that works. The public ignores most corruption until someone says something newsworthy or scandalous.

Personally I'd love to kick them ALL out of office and start anew. Remove everyone from office and make sure we can't have anyone in office longer than 10 years period. No more lives as politicians. No more living off of the people for life.

"kblack, there's plenty of corrupt Donkaroaches, and plenty of corrupt Independents, too. Wouldn't you agree?"

I would agree. It's not a Democrat problem, or a Republican problem, or an independent problem. It's an American problem. Until we decide as a people to put the country ahead of politics it will continue. However, as long as we defend corrupt or incompetent leaders from both parties, it will continue.

Rico,
Glad you didn't break. I'm also glad it doesn't end your comments.

Matt,

I find it interesting how last week you were promoting bipartisanship, albeit by trying to blame Democrats 100% for the present state of partisanship, and today you are trying to use to latest Republican scandal to blame the Democrats for corruption. Talk about the pot and the kettle!

I have been trying to find a reason behind your loco logic. I have 3 ideas:

1. In your upbringing you were instilled with such partisan views that being a hack just comes natural.

2. You and Forest Gump have the same IQ, and you are grasping at straws just for the semblance of average IQ.

3. You and Rush Limbaugh have the same doctor.

I am sure there are other possibilities. Those were just the ones that I could come up with off the top of my head.

The real issue here is corruption, not Democrat or Republican, but people in power abusing that power. I say as Americans, we do everything in our power to remove all corrupt politicians no matter what party or who would have control of Congress or the White House.

Send a message to Craig, Feinstein, DeLay, Ney, Jefferson and all the rest that they work for the American people and corruption and ethics scandals will not be tolerated.

Peace, Gaijin

OkieFromMuskogee - Why didn't the Democrats call for Webb (D-VA) to resign after his aid was caught brining a gun into the Capital Hill. A gun Webb LATER admitted was his. Gun vilolations in DC? Are you guys for gun control, or just control of Republican guns.

Oh, and FELONY vs. misdemeaner.

But YOU guys ran on the "culture of corruption." YOU said YOU were going to be held to a higher standard. YOU guys control both houses. We are just the poor ignorant minority.

Oh, and the LA Senators "transgressions" were never charged and happened years ago. But sex is a reason to force out Senators now? My, my, my.

But actual felonies and corruption isn't? You'll have to explain your value system to me again.

Kahn,
At what point do you think someone should be removed from office? When he or she is accused of a crime, indited of a crime, or convicted of a crime? And what level of crime should he or she be convicted of, misdemeanor or felony?

"So, it's impossible to deny that Republicans have higher ethical standards than Democrats...."

Matt, you're completely full of s**t, you partisan hack.
Posted by: Jonathan [TypeKey Profile Page] at August 29, 2007 08:53 PM

Now there's an intelligent comeback. Heh.

Until we decide as a people to put the country ahead of politics it will continue.

Period.dot.bingo.

Well said, Casper--sometimes you can be a very insightful person. I wanna be just like you if I grow up...lol

The higher the GOP sets it's standards the more of your corrupt people will be smoked in the harsh light of the Truth. You may have the AM radio dial but the blue guys have the Internet!

I'd atke a million netroots voices over Rush Laura Ingraham and Hannity any day. Oh, and just for laughs, since I am my paper's financial writer can you feel the recession the American economy is in yet or do you want to wait until the first week of January when everyone's fuming about how crappy the Holiday shopping season was? Debt heaped upon debt heaped upon hedge funds heaped upon ARMs coming due heaped upon a bailout for Countrywide and Goldman Sachs heaped on the heads of the middle class! Lookin forward to those August unemployment figures so you can gush orgasmically about how well the Bush economy is doing? I didn't think so. And yes I am gloating that the US economy is dwindling maybe a downturn will make some of your last die hard supporters realize you don't know what the necon/fundie machine is doing and neither does it.

Do you like red wine or white with your crow Mr Margolis?

Casper, so a speeding ticket means you're out?

Gabby: And yes I am gloating that the US economy is dwindling... (yadda yadda yadda)

Perhaps that's the difference between you and me -- I expect what you're saying is likely to happen. But gloating about it in the way you are is rather sick. I'd prefer I (and you) were wrong. Merry freakin' Christmas.